The Goannas Annual Gray Medal & Presentation Night was held last Saturday in the Swan Room of the Goannas Major Sponsor, the Merrylands RSL Club. After midfielders Locky Pryor, Jordan Pidgeon and Ryan Terry all finished in the top 5 of the League's Snow Medal for the Fairest & Best in the Division 1 competition, it was tipped that these three would also battle out the Goannas Gray Medal as the Club's Senior team's best player for 2016.
The Gray Medal is named after the Gray family, who have been involved with the Club since it's early beginning back in the 1960's and have sponsored the Club now for 38 consecutive years. Ken & Julie Gray are long time Life members of the Club.
120 people enjoyed a stunning meal and a fantastic visual vote count and video show on the big screen, put together by Clive Sharp and Heather Watson. The Merrylands RSL Club has been a partner of the Goannas since 2004, and the attention to detail that their staff provide on the Club's biggest night is second to none.
Jordan Pidgeon got away early in the voting, scoring votes in the first 4 games and after 6 games was leading Ryan Terrey and ruckman Jalem Timms. Ryan "Raz" Terrey then polled in the next four games to take the lead and was never headed, although Pidgeon was always on his hammer. The final standings saw Terrey poll 48 votes, Pidgeon 37 votes, Locky Pryor 22 votes and Timms 16 votes. The John Perry Rising Star award winner Darcy Jenson finished 5th with 15 votes.
Ken Gray was on hand to present the Medal to Ryan Terry, who spoke magnificently, thanking his team mates, coach Luke Jarjoura, his father Craig and mother Sandy, and most importantly his brother Josh (Goannas Club Captain) who broke his collarbone twice during the season and could only manage 6 games.
The Goannas Reserves Fairest & Best was won by Shane Riddle who pipped Luke Pierce in the last Round of the Season. The ever colourful Matty Ophof won the Thirds Fairest & Best from Brett Rizzo, and Hatem El-Daraj, in his very first season of football was a popular winner of the Under 19's Fairest & Best with 2015 Hart Medallist Reece Morris.
Peter Dumesny was awarded the John Barker Memorial Clubman of the Year award for outstanding service to the Goannas in 2016, which included stepping in and leading the Under 19's halfway through the year when they lost their coach.
Ryan Beatty won the popular Player's Volunteer Award, which acknowledges efforts by players on and off the football field.
Kane Radford, Jordan Pidgeon & Adam Byrne all passed 100 games in Season 2016 and were presented with medallions.
Committee members Clive Sharp and Justin Cunneen were awarded life membership for their years of continuous hard work at the Club. They both received an emotional standing ovation for their loyal commitment to the Goannas.
Another Season comes to an end, although the Club's Annual General Meeting will be held at the Club rooms at Goanna Park on Wednesday November 16, starting at 7.30 pm.
Last Modified on 14/10/2016 14:17
